The evolution of tianxia cosmology and its philosophical implications

Abstract

The terminology tianxia has both historical evolution and cultural and philosophical connotations. This concept not only denotes a geographical and spatial meaning, but also implies the moral construct of metaphysics. A systematic study of its historical and cultural repercussions can show that the evolution of the meaning tianxia  not only embodies the cosmological construction, moral belief and self-identity of the Chinese nation, but also manifests the historical processes of modern China evolving from tianxia  to a modern nation-state. Meanwhile, the deconstruction of the tianxia cosmology has shattered the old Chinese concept of a single united tianxia, or the whole world under one Heaven. Also, Confucian China  has been increasingly losing its vitality and strong hold on the people, while the concept of nation-state has gained its way into people s consciousness, which has added more diversity and open-mindedness to the concept of tianxia.

Keywords

Chinese philosophy, tianxia, cosmology, nation-state, nation, morality